The boys track and field team saw numerous freshman/sophomore program records fall at their most recent indoor meet in Pontiac. Among these record breakers were sophomores Clayton Lakatos, Gino Montgomery, Iose Epenesa, Jaydon Cole, and freshman Colin Thomas.

According to the Edwardsville Intelligencer, Thomas broke the 800-meter record with a time of 2 minutes, 9.26 seconds. Lakatos broke the record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.23 seconds. He took second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.14 seconds and third in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.76 seconds.

Head boys coach Chad Lakatos said the record-breaking was somewhat expected but still shocking.

“Records are meant to be broken,” he said. “When you have a young, talented group of kids that work hard, these are the results you get.”

Although these athletes weren’t specifically training with the mindset of breaking these records, they are constantly reminded of them.

“We have team records posted in the locker room, our website, and even printed on the back of our team shirts,” coach Lakatos said.

In the field events, Epenesa broke the record in shot put at 15.31 meters, Montgomery placed second and broke the triple jump record at 13.42 meters, and Cole broke the long jump record at 6.44 meters.

Epenesa wasn’t initially going for any of the freshman/sophomore records. His main goal was to eventually break his older brother’s varsity records, specifically in discus and shot put.

“I was just happy that I broke it, because it puts my name in the books,” Epenesa said.

With only one indoor meet left, coach Lakatos predicts that more indoor and outdoor records will fall as the season continues.

“This freshman/sophomore group has untapped talent that we’re just beginning to witness,” coach Lakatos said.  “If this group can stay committed and eyes on the big picture, look for them to make some noise the next couple of years.”